Planting Seeds for Jesus

by Carol Foor Watson

As a Sunday School teacher of a class of three-year-olds, I have employed the "A-B-C's of a Classroom Teacher" with the children in my classroom. I have been blessed by the results, not only through the children, but their parents as well. I admonish teachers of young children to apply this approach to not only strengthen their classroom time, but also become more effective in planting seeds for Jesus in the hearts of young children.

A-B-C's of a Classroom Teacher

Always greet every child by name as they enter the classroom.

Be early to your classroom. As the teacher, you should always be the first to arrive in the classroom.

Create a warm and kid-friendly classroom. One way to do this is to place items at the eye level of the child.

Dress appropriately for working in classroom of youngsters.

Emphasize each Sunday that Jesus loves ____ (fill in the blank with each child's name). Watch each child smile!

Forget about yourself and be a child as you sing songs. You don't have to be a great singer!

Have everything prepared for the classroom time before entering your classroom.

Introduce yourself to new children that come into the classroom.

Jam meaningful activities into that time you are with the children. The time goes quickly.

Keep a journal of special things that happen with the children in your classroom.

Love those children in your classroom with all your heart. Open up your heart.

Make memories that children will recall when older

Notify the parent of good things that their child has done. Parents love to hear good reports!

Observe good behavior and good qualities, and mention it to the child. Children love to receive genuine praise.

Pray during the week for each child in your class by name. Have their names before you!

Quote a verse from the Bible and have children repeat it. Even the youngest can learn a verse.

Represent Jesus to your children. You are planting seeds for Jesus in young hearts.

Simplify your Bible lesson so that it speaks age-appropriately to the children in your class.

Tell children, "I've enjoyed spending time with you today!" when they leave the classroom each Sunday.

Understand that each child is unique, yet all have the same basic needs.

Visit the homes of some of your children in your class.

Write letters to the children in your class. Children love to receive mail.

Examine your own heart to make sure this is the area where God wants you to serve.

Yell when you sing the third verse of "If You're Happy and You Know It."

Zeal, never lose your zeal for working with children. Remember, the youngest might be your biggest blessing as you are planting seeds for Jesus.

Carol Foor Watson currently teaches the three-year-old class at Kankakee, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene. Formerly a children's director and kindergarten teacher, she has a strong passion for ministry to preschool-age youngsters.
 

 

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